Isometrics
Training Review

Charles Atlas's Dynamic Tension System

Having written my own isometric training progam "Power
Isometrics" I obviously have a great deal of interest in this
subject. From personal experience I can vouch for how effective
isometrics training can be. This inspired me to look into what has to
be considered the
grand daddy of all Isometrics Training Programs, namely Charles
Atlas's
Dynamic Tension system. Here's my review.

Legendary Marketing

If you've read a comic book at sometime in your life, you're probably
aware of the Charles Atlas Isometrics Training System. A skinny guy is
at the beach with his girl and a bully comes along. The bully kicks
sand in his face and the girl takes off with him. Frustrated and angry,
the skinny guy resolves to become an "Atlas Man" and orders the Atlas
course. Over the course's 12 weeks, the skinny guy transforms himself
into a buff He Man. He returns to the location of his humiliation,
beats up the bully, and gets the girl.

How To Become
A Millionaire

The above story was repeated with minor variations over the decades
since he released his first isometrics training program, but the basic
story remained the
same. The course may have transformed 98 pound weaklings into He-Man,
but it also transformed Charles Atlas (real name Angelo Siciliano) into
a multi millionaire at the height of the great depression. Pretty
impressive. The question is, just what is in the course, and does it
work?

The Isometrics Training Program

I downloaded this legendary isometrics training program from the
Charles Atlas website. As I read it, the book almost came across as a
self help manual rather than a fitness book. There is nothing wrong
with this, of course. Many of the lessons focus on how you should live,
rather than the exercises you should do. This is not uncommon in old
time workout books, which often took on a more holistic approach to
health than anything else.

The Charles
Atlas Philosophy

In general, I really liked Atlas's philosophy and outlook on life. He
really emphasizes things like positive thinking, visualization, deep
breathing. etc. I can't say I learned anything new from this, but it is
always good to hear these simple truths repeated. He also has other
ideas which are a bit more unusual. For example, he recommends you take
a daily "Music Bath" by which you are supposed to listen to inspiring
music while visualizing positive goals you want to achieve. I've never
done this before, but I could see it being beneficial to most people.

The Exercises Themselves

The exercises themselves are good, although most of them are not true
isometric exercises. A true isometric training program features
exercises that are static in nature. Atlas's system, for the most part,
relies on exercises which utilize movement. He calls this "Dynamic
Tension"
(a term he trademarked, I believe). What they really are though
are isotonic movements using self-resistance. Whatever you
call
them, they ARE
EFFECTIVE. It
wasn't just marketing that sold the Atlas Course. At the end of the
day, the program had to deliver the goods, and it does. It wouldn't
have been around for as long as it has if it didn't work.

Surprisingly Brief

When you go to the Charles
Atlas Website, you can either download a PDF
version of the course for $45, or get a hard copy shipped to your for
$49.95 plus an additional $10 shipping and handling ($25 outside the
United States). The PDF itself is only 91 pages long, and the course
itself only goes to page 72. The rest of the book is made up of 5 mini
courses entitled "Feats
of Strength", "Hand
Balancing", "Right
and
Wrong Boxing Positions", "15 Secrets of Jiu Jitsiu"
and "20 Famous
Wrestling Holds". These are all interesting, but
I'm not sure
how many people really want to learn how to pull an automobile with
their neck (Feats of Strength) or learn how to box. In addition,
remember that the rest of the course is not all exercises, but entire
lessons (chapters) are devoted to things like "Fixing Constipation"
(lesson 3) and "The True Tonic of Life "(lesson 7, using water to bring
superior health).

The Final Verdict

The bottom line for me is "Do the Exercises Work"? The answer here is a
definite YES,
which is why I would still recommend this book. I'm not
sure I needed chapters on avoiding constipation or music baths, but
this course still has a lot of value. However, if you are looking for a
modern take on these kind of dynamic isotonic exercises you might what
to check out my "Power
Isotonics" program.
The value pack includes a book and video. It also contains many
exercises that are not found in the original Atlas course. If, on the
other hand, you are looking for a modern
course on true isometric training you may want to get my course "Power
Isometrics", which is also now available from Amazon.com.
Having said that in gaining new knowledge we all
stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us. Charles
Atlas is definitely a giant in this regard. You can hardly go wrong
following this program. To check out the Charles Atlas Program
yourself, you can go to the website here.